A very good film. The acting was excellent, particularly Annette Benning as the title character, Julia. The story is captivating and interesting to watch - this is one of those movies where you become so absorbed you actually forget you're watching a movie at all, which is my favorite kind. Basically what it all boils down to is Julia being a catty old hag in the end and taking out all of her frustrations on the newer, younger woman Avice. Avice is made to bear the brunt of Julia's personal disappointments and frustrations over what events have occurred during the film, even though Avice is no better and no worse than anyone else in the movie. I therefore did not like this aspect of the movie's ending. Nonetheless, this movie was quite good and made for great entertainment. The best I've seen in awhile.